Reincarnated as a Sickly Princess, She was Kidnapped by the Evil Dragon Lady - Chapter 38

Aria finished speaking and walked ahead alone, leaving Illycia and Xiaobai behind to watch her retreating figure.

“Princess… she…”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. She’s just like that. Don’t take it too seriously,” Illycia said with a faint smile. After exchanging a few polite words with Xiaobai, Illycia bid her farewell, promising to return after dinner to play with her.

As Illycia joined her family in the dining room, they finally began their meal.

However, as Illycia took her place at the table, she immediately sensed that the atmosphere was different.

Previously, her family had harbored a palpable resentment toward Aria’s presence. Now, they seemed to have tacitly accepted her, their earlier hostility completely gone. Though they still avoided direct interaction with Aria, the awkward tension that had hung in the air the previous night had vanished.

Just as everyone was finishing their meal, Aria, who had remained silent for so long, suddenly spoke up.

“That maid named Xiaobai…”

Aria quickly captured everyone’s attention, and a hint of surprise flickered through their minds. They were astonished that she had spoken unprompted.

In the short time they had known her, they had come to believe Aria was simply taciturn, perhaps naturally aloof, or perhaps her Dragon Race pride made her disdainful of speaking to them. Whatever the reason, that was the impression she had given. Now, her sudden utterance naturally piqued their curiosity.

“Her magical talent is quite promising,” Aria said slowly.

Just when everyone expected Aria to reveal some crucial information, she merely remarked on the young maid’s magical aptitude.

To Rodas, however, praise from a Dragon Race member like Aria meant the maid’s talent must be exceptional. He secretly noted the name “Xiaobai” in his mind.

Rodas remembered Xiaobai well. She had been Illycia’s personal maid, and during that time, she had taken excellent care of Illycia.

Rodas had never imagined that Xiaobai possessed such a natural talent for magic.

“Does Your Excellency intend to take her as a disciple?” Rodas asked, turning to Aria. After all, he couldn’t imagine Aria mentioning Xiaobai, the maid, without a reason.

“No, I’m merely offering a reminder,” Aria replied. She didn’t want a rough gem like Xiaobai to be buried in the snow, especially since the girl had cared for Illycia before.

Aria had her own reasons for this. She would soon be taking Illycia away, and the frail, timid maid would undoubtedly fare worse without Illycia’s protection.

It was easy to understand. Xiaobai had likely lived comfortably under Illycia’s care. But what would become of her after Illycia’s departure?

By mentioning Xiaobai now, Aria was indirectly ensuring the maid’s future stability. After all, Xiaobai’s magical talent had genuinely impressed even Aria herself.

This was also due to the secret resolution Aria had made the previous night.

Aria had spent a long time pondering the matter last night. Her decision was to ensure that Illycia would no longer harbor any lingering attachments or regrets about this place before Aria took her away.

Without this, Aria dreaded the thought of the scene when she eventually left with Illycia. She imagined a crowd of people trying to stop her, creating an unbearable amount of trouble.

But if Illycia willingly left with her, the situation might be much smoother.

However, this was only one reason. Aria also had her own selfish motives…

Though she called it selfish, Aria had forced herself to justify it by claiming it was a reward for the lesson Illycia had taught her the previous night.

When Rodas heard that Aria had merely offered a warning, his expression froze for a moment. In the end, he said nothing more, though he still felt a lingering sense of bewilderment.

Rodas’s door was knocked on early this morning. Aria entered and began spouting a series of strange claims about wanting to help him, leaving Rodas utterly bewildered.

Before Rodas could even react, Aria had finished speaking and left, further deepening his confusion.

However, since Aria had said it, the maid Xiaobai must possess some unique qualities. Otherwise, Aria wouldn’t have gone out of her way to mention it.

With this in mind, Rodas made a mental note to investigate Xiaobai later. He planned to find a magic tutor to assess the maid’s abilities and determine if she truly possessed the extraordinary talent Aria claimed.

“Dad, can I ask Aria to go out and play with me today?”

Just as Rodas was pondering this, Illycia suddenly darted into the room and appeared before him.

Rodas glanced at Illycia, fully aware that even if he forbade her from going, it wouldn’t make a difference. It was as if she ever listened to him anyway.

“Go ahead, go ahead. Just be careful.”

Left with no choice, Rodas reluctantly agreed to Illycia’s request.

After all, with Aria by her side, protecting Illycia, it was unlikely anyone in the entire Roland Empire could harm her.

Soon after, Illycia and Aria, disguised, appeared on the city streets and began strolling through the bustling market.

Just as Illycia was about to ask Aria to take her out for fun like the previous day, Aria suddenly grabbed her hand, stopping them in their tracks.

“Those men from last night… do you want to find them?” Aria asked abruptly, leaving Illycia momentarily puzzled by the sudden change in topic.

“I guess so…” Illycia admitted. She was indeed curious about who was behind the two men who had tried to kidnap her the night before.

After all, anyone who would attempt to abduct her must either covet her body or intend to use her to get to Rodas. Either way, they couldn’t be good people.

“Then I’ll take you to them.”

“Oh… ah?”

Illycia stared at Aria, momentarily stunned.

“I’ll take you there. I memorized the residual magic from when those two self-destructed yesterday. Now, I just need to match the remaining magic from last night to find them.”

Illycia’s eyes widened as she listened to Aria’s explanation.

But soon, she couldn’t help but grow excited.